A bronze statue honoring Jake Duque, a 5-year-old boy who passed away from cancer, was stolen from its namesake park in Miami Lakes. The sculpture served as a memorial for the child who died in 2020 after battling a rare brain tumor. City officials installed the tribute in 2021 at Northwest 154th Street and 89 Avenue as a project supported by the local community.
Karen and Orlando Duque are requesting the return of the piece. They stated that the statue is priceless to their family. The parents emphasized that they hold no interest in pursuing legal charges against the individuals responsible for the theft. They only want the memorial returned to its rightful place in the park.
Orlando Duque offered a simple path forward for those who took the sculpture. He suggested that the thieves return the statue anonymously under the cover of night. The family hopes that the public will keep an eye out for the missing artwork so it can be restored to the community site.
The park serves as a meaningful site for the family and residents. The loss of the statue has created significant distress for the parents during an already difficult time. Anyone with information or anyone who finds the object is encouraged to reach out so it can be brought home to the park.